A central MBT technique aimed at identifying and naming the affective component of the client's experience in the current moment of the session. The therapist defines the "affective focus of the session" — the immediate emotional content here and now. Stabilizing emotional expression is the primary task of MBT, without which serious inquiry into inner representations is impossible.
Step-by-step guide
- Identify the dominant affect of the client at this moment (not in the history, but here and now)
- Name the affect in a soft, suggestive form: "It seems to me that right now you feel."
- If the client struggles to identify the feeling, gently offer options: "If I were in your place, I might feel."
- Link the affect to a specific interpersonal situation or relationship
- Inquire how this affect influences the client's capacity to think about themselves and others
- Track changes in affect during the session and bring attention to them
When to use
- When the client speaks about events but is not in contact with emotions
- When the client's emotions are uncontrollably rising — to name and "tame" them
- When the key theme of the session needs to be identified
Key phrases
What do you feel right now, as you are telling me about this?
Follow-up questions
It seems to me that something else stands behind this anger. perhaps pain?
I noticed that your voice changed when you started to speak about your mother. What do you feel now?
Alternative phrasings
If I were in your place, I might feel hurt. How is it for you?
It looks as if this evokes very strong feelings in you. Let us try to understand what exactly.
Warnings
- ⚠️ Do not impose your interpretation of the affect on the client — it is a suggestion, not a statement
- ⚠️ Watch the level of arousal: if the affect is too intense, return to empathic validation
- ⚠️ Do not intellectualize feelings — focus on the experience, not on the explanation
Source: Bateman A.W. Fonagy P. (2016). Mentalization-Based Treatment for Personality Disorders
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.